The journey toward a more integrated Africa continues to unfold, with a new draft strategy aiming to promote the free movement of people across the continent. At the heart of this initiative lies the African Union’s broader vision for unity and cooperation, encapsulated in Agenda 2063. Among its flagship projects is the concept of a borderless Africa, with the African Passport serving as a symbol of this shared aspiration.
In January 2018, a pivotal step was taken when the African Union adopted the Protocol to the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community, which focuses on granting the right of entry, residence, and establishment to African citizens. Just two months later, in March 2018, the African Union launched the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), along with related protocols on trade and dispute resolution. These moves signaled a commitment to eliminating barriers to movement and trade within Africa.
Building on these achievements, the African Union, in collaboration with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), has now crafted a draft continental strategy designed to fast-track the implementation of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons. The strategy aims to ensure that both the RECs and individual Member States actively promote and support the African Passport as a vital tool for realizing the right to free movement.
This strategy is structured around three key phases: the right of entry, the right of residence, and the right of establishment. The introduction of the African Passport, which was endorsed by the AU in February 2019, is expected to be a major catalyst for these efforts, particularly in facilitating the right of entry for Africans traveling across borders.
To date, 33 African countries have signed the protocol, with Rwanda, Niger, Mali, and São Tomé and Príncipe among the first to ratify it. The technical specifications of the African Passport have been developed in partnership with international bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as well as various RECs and African governments.
Through this coordinated approach, the African Union is setting the stage for a more connected and cohesive continent, where the free movement of people is not just a lofty ideal but a tangible reality. The free movement of persons is seen as a critical stepping stone toward economic integration, cultural exchange, and stronger political cooperation, all of which are essential for the future prosperity of Africa. With the African Passport in hand, citizens will have the freedom to travel, live, and work anywhere within the continent, a significant milestone in the realization of the African Union’s ambitious vision for a united, borderless Africa.
